http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Bellevue_WA-222572/The latest answers submitted by Chuck Sparks to questions asked on Trulia Voicesen-ushttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Foreclosure/How_to_find_an_agent_specializing_REO_in_eastside_-182236Answer by Chuck Sparks: Leon, As Vera stated any agent can put together an offer for you on a bank owned property. Most of the issue comes from understanding the banks as sellers rather then the home owner. This is a very different sale then a seller owned or a short sale listing. Be sure who you choose explains the plus and minus of these types of deals before going forward or you may be disappointed. Good luck to you in your endevors and if I can be of further help just let me know.Tue, 1 Dec 2009 11:25:53 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/In_a_market_such_as_exists_today_does_a_house_sta-142727Answer by Chuck Sparks: Gladys, All that Marilyn told you is true, but to me more direct to your question, a staged, vacant home is the best case scenario for selling on today's market. With so many homes on the market buyers are being really picky with what they shop and see. A vacant home allows them to shop freely in their time frame not the sellers. A staged home, presented right, brings out the best in your home without all the personal clutter and lived look of an occupied house. Good Luck with your plans. If I can be of any further help dont hesitate to contact me.Sat, 4 Jul 2009 14:38:28 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/_weeks_on_market_pressure_to_lower_price_now_com-137838Answer by Chuck Sparks: Dear home seller 6 weeks is only 42 days, not much in today's market. Still, if you have not had an offer in the first 30 days it is safe to say you are currently over priced in this buyer's market, for your particular piece of property. I would strongly recommend you sit down with your agent and see what price point comparable homes are currently selling at. You then need to ask yourself can I afford to, or not to, reduce my price to compete? Clearly your situation, motivation or need to sell need to be considered. In today's market with so much inventory for buyers to choose from only the best deals are moving. Good luck!Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:14:30 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Can_I_remove_house_selling_contingency_to_ask_sell-124252Answer by Chuck Sparks: James, In my opinion you would be taking a big risk unless you actually had the capital to close the initial deal successfully without the proceeds from your sale of your home. You should discuss the feasibility of funding with your loan officer first. The contingency clause is part and parcel of your original contract. It sounds like you are assuming you will close and have those assets to bring to your offer. Any offer you made me would require those assets be available first. respectfully Chuck SparksFri, 15 May 2009 09:58:38 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/I_was_searching_on_Trulia_and_found_your_listing_-116317Answer by Chuck Sparks: Saravanan, I too received your request for a showing, from Trulia, of the Redmond condo. Although, it is true, this listing is now pending, I do have a similar condo located in Bellevue with a similar commute to microsoft. If you are interested and open to viewing other locations I too would be happy to assist you in any way. You can preview my listing through my web page or on tulia search. Good luck to you on your home search. Chuck Sparks Keller Williams Rlty Bellevue 505 106th Ave NE, Suite 210 Bellevue, WA 98004 Primary: 206-719-5061 Secondary: 425-454-0911 Fax:425-454-4577 chucksparksMon, 27 Apr 2009 09:45:01 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/removed-112762Answer by Chuck Sparks: Tamara, You can rest assured this home is no threat of ever flooding from rising lake waters. I have lived in this area all my life and know that Lake sammamish has a well regulated system of water flowing in and out that releases water out effectively into lake Washington through the slough system. Even in high snow melt and heavy rains the lake only minimally raises the shore level. Note that this home was built recently (2006) and is closly bordered by homes on either side that are approximatley as close to the lake. It is highly unlikely that current building codes as well as multiple dwellings would risk the threat of high water issues. Good luck with your search. Chuck Sparks Keller Williams Rlty Bellevue 505 106th Ave NE, Suite 210 Bellevue, WA 98004 Primary: 206-719-5061 Secondary: 425-454-0911 Fax:425-454-4577 chucksparks@kw.comSun, 19 Apr 2009 17:09:52 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/Would_it_be_possible_to_get_a_showing_in_the_last_-85913Answer by Chuck Sparks: Mark Jay is right. You need to find and make contact with an agent to represent you in the area you are seeking to look/buy. Internet searches can work but if you have an agent in the area that you know and trust ask them for a referral. Agents can and often do have other agents that they know and trust to help their past clients and freinds. Check it out and Good luck to you with your plans. Chuck SparksWed, 4 Feb 2009 09:58:14 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/removed-78173Answer by Chuck Sparks: Suzy, As an agent who lives, an specializes in marketing homes in the Sammamish area and on the Eastside, I can tell you that most agents in our area will ask for the 6% of the sales with 3% to the buyers side and 3% to the listing side. As stated by others, these fees are negotiable, However most agents will hold firm to 3% to the buyers side for reasons stated by Sean below. The real matter is what the listing agent will accept and what services he or she will provide for those services. As Cindy stated, you get what you pay for. Agents who typically offer reduced fees also provide reduced services and provide minimal marketing to keep there overhead down. As Bill stated, in his answer, there are many costs, expenses and taxes that factor in to what we as agents actually clear from our commissions. Speaking for myself I clear 7-8K for every 15K of commission I earn, or roughly 50-60%. Like most professionals I feel I work hard for what I earn. And I believe my clients would agree. I Understand that, as a seller, it seems like a lot of profit is lost to commissions but statistics bare out the fact that home owners sell their homes quicker and for more then they can themselves. I hope these answers help you in understanding those commissions when you sit down with the agent you select. Good Luck with selling that home! Chuck Sparks Keller Williams Rlty Bellevue 505 106th Ave NE, Suite 210 Bellevue, WA 98004 Primary: 206-719-5061 Secondary: 425-454-0911 Fax:425-454-4577 chucksparks@kw.comWed, 7 Jan 2009 23:47:30 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Is_any_financing_of_a_mortgage_allowed_when_buying-67981Answer by Chuck Sparks: Larry, a forclosed purchase at a public auction requires all funding to be done in advance. It is basically a cash deal.Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:25:20 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Property_QandA/we_are_first_time_home_buyers_looking_for_a_condo_-67515Answer by Chuck Sparks: Manish, As you can see, from what other agents are telling you, getting pre approved is truly the first step. Note I did not say pre qualified as there is a big difference between these two steps. Pre qualification is an abbreviated version of finding out how much of a mortgage loan you can qualify for. This process can usually be done over the phone in about 15 minutes provided you have the requested information at hand. To get pre approval you must provide proof of this type of information to a mortgage lender who then provides you with a document guaranteeing that you are authorized for a loan with that agency up to a said amount. This is a two fold benefit to you because it provides your agent with more leverage when he makes your offer. Plus the time to process the loan is already set in motion saving you time at closing. At this juncture you are ready to select an agent whom can help you find that dream condo or townhome. If you have any further questions or need help finding a loan resource you can contact me and I would gladly advise. It's what I do. Chuck Sparks Keller Williams Rlty Bellevue 505 106th Ave NE, Suite 210 Bellevue, WA 98004 Primary: 206-719-5061 Secondary: 425-454-0911 Fax:425-454-4577 chucksparks@kw.comTue, 11 Nov 2008 10:21:56 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Agent2Agent/Is_there_a_home_office_with_Remax_Real_Estate_n-43644Answer by Chuck Sparks: Dear Kinga, As Vicky started to explain Keller Williams is very low cost with reasonable cap rates, No desk fees and a monthly office cost, including contract insurance for about $32-$34 a month. At the Bellevue office, where I work, we have approx. a hundred agents currently. Also tons of free training and support. Call me for more info if this sounds good. Chuck Sparks Keller Williams Rlty Bellevue 505 106th Ave NE, Suite 210 Bellevue, WA 98004 Primary: 206-719-5061 Secondary: 425-454-0911 Fax:425-454-4577 chucksparks@kw.comMon, 30 Jun 2008 09:35:49 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Why_some_listing_agents_offer_staging_and_professi-39102Answer by Chuck Sparks: M I find it interesting that you have ask 4 questions from Trulia voices and have recieved good answeres every day to every one. Have you considered any of them?Tue, 3 Jun 2008 12:41:01 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Does_anyone_know_a_Real_Estate_agent_who_does_stag-39283Answer by Chuck Sparks: Dear M, Staging your home can make a huge difference to the impression you give buyers. As with curb appeal, staging maximizes your home qualities and adds charm. However much can be done with what is already available within the home with just a few suggestions from an objective, critical eye. Many realtors have developed a "trained eye" due to the vast number of homes they have previewed with clients. Also many agents rely on the help of a professional stager and photographer who supplies everything needed for a price. From what you have said in your question it appears that you have already made up your mind that these are services you want. So when contacting agents ask them directly how they deal with photography and staging. If you like what you hear ask for examples of their work for comparison. Keller Williams Rlty Bellevue 505 106th Ave NE Ste 210 Bellevue, WA 98004 Primary: 206-719-5061 Secondary: 425-454-0911 chucksparks@kw.comTue, 3 Jun 2008 08:54:32 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Where_do_I_begin_my_search_for_a_Real_Estate_agent-38718Answer by Chuck Sparks: I would like to echo the sentiments of the first two professionals that responded to your question. They are both right on with all the points they made. Good reputable realtors from good reputable firms are more common then you think. Friends referrals are a good place to start. Office Brokers or Lead Staff can make recommendations too. Interview a few to see who makes sense and is responsive to your needs. Do not go by reputation or years in the business alone. Look at your own career experience. Are the senior staff always the best? Good luck with your search. Chuck Sparks Keller Williams Rlty Bellevue 505 106th Ave NE Ste 210 Bellevue, WA 98004 Primary: 206-719-5061 Secondary: 425-454-0911 chucksparks@kw.comFri, 30 May 2008 17:04:17 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Market_Conditions/How_would_I_find_out_what_percentage_property_valu-36686Answer by Chuck Sparks: Mr. Butlers, I agree partially with Vera's response but would I would bump that search to 12 months due to the recent soft sales in today's market place. It would also give you a better idea of pricing trends (i.e. are they currently dropping or increasing? have they stagnated?) Also, have your realtor check the days on market of current town homes at this price point, it may give telling data as well. I hope you find what your seeking. Chuck Sparks Keller Williams Rlty Bellevue 505 106th Ave NE Ste 210 Bellevue, WA 98004 Primary: 206-719-5061 Secondary: 425-454-0911 chucksparks@kw.comTue, 27 May 2008 13:12:20 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Is_there_any_way_I_can_find_out_if_a_house_is_for_-36014Answer by Chuck Sparks: Marie, The King county tax records website and and Zillow website are ok for some information and may be the best source if you are dealing with FSBO sale but if it was or has ever been on the MLS asking an agent to help should garner you deeper info. Also would probably help you find any information that may not appear on public records. Best of luck in your search. Chuck Sparks Keller Williams Rlty Bellevue 505 106th Ave NE Ste 210 Bellevue, WA 98004 Primary: 206-719-5061 Secondary: 425-454-0911 chucksparks@kw.comTue, 27 May 2008 11:27:48 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Are_there_any_rules_to_what_can_be_included_in_an_-37923Answer by Chuck Sparks: Victor, Sean is right. It appears that that the buyer is attempting to reduce the purchase price to compensate for upgrades he would like to do to your home after the sale is complete. Go over the inspection's discovery of defects with your agent and strike out anything that is not a defect but appears to be an attempt for you to pay for upgrades. make your counter offer to remedy/repair. They key here is to attempt to meet the buyer with a compromise rather then a flat refusal to negotiate. Be aware that this is a common point or juncture in the P&S agreement that is the best "escape clause" for a buyer within the contract. Also be aware that even if this contract does not go to close defective discoveries that were made during the inspection will now need to be include in your form 17. Good Luck Chuck Sparks Keller Williams Rlty Bellevue 505 106th Ave NE Ste 210 Bellevue, WA 98004 Primary: 206-719-5061 Secondary: 425-454-0911 chuckspark@kw,comTue, 27 May 2008 09:29:59 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/How_do_I_find_a_trustworthy_agent_to_deal_with_-36047Answer by Chuck Sparks: Joe, There are plenty of good agents out there but what I believe works best for people, like yourself, that are relocating is to talk with a few and get a sense for how well they communicate with you one to one. In the end the agent that is a good listener and willing to give you the time you need to find the right home fit is the one for you. My office is located in the heart of Bellevue and I am a member of Microsoft's preferred agent list for company relocations. Call or email me and I would love to see if I can meet your needs and expectations. Chuck Sparks Keller Williams Rlty Bellevue 505 106th Ave NE Ste 210 Bellevue, WA 98004 Primary: 206-719-5061 Secondary: 425-454-0911 chucksparks@kw.com http://csparksforhomes.comWed, 14 May 2008 13:21:52 PDT